Delta Named To Fortune's Top 50 World's Most Admired Companies List

ATLANTA, Feb. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines DAL today issued the following memo from CEO Richard Anderson to its 80,000 employees worldwide in recognition of its No. 39 ranking on Fortune magazine's annual World's Most Admired Companies list.

Congratulations!  For the second consecutive year, Delta has been named to Fortune magazine's list of 50 Most Admired Companies.  We were also named the most admired airline for the fourth time in the past five years.

This is a direct reflection on the people of Delta.  Your professionalism and commitment to our culture and values are recognized by this important award, which places us among the world's leading brands.

Fortune is widely read by global business leaders and is a top source of business news.  As we strengthen our brand identity around being thoughtful, reliable and innovative, it is clear that these leaders are taking note.

More importantly, this honor confirms what we have known all along:  Our people, culture and values – our biggest competitive advantages – are admired by business leaders around the globe. Together, we are building the preeminent airline brand and bringing humanity back to air travel.

Fortune's top 50 rankings are based on a survey which asks leaders across all industries to identify the companies they most admire.  The airline rankings are done with the participation of airline executives, board members and industry analysts, who are asked to rate companies in their industry based on set criteria, ranging from innovation to long-term investment value to global competitiveness.

In 2014, we ran the best global operation in the industry, significantly improved our customer satisfaction scores and generated more than $4.5 billion in pre-tax profits, among many other accomplishments.  The Fortune recognition comes on the heels of our record $1.1 billion profit sharing payout last week.

That list is impressive, but it is you – our people – and the way we work together that truly sets us apart from the rest.  It is right that you should be so admired.

Thank you for being the greatest and most admired airline employees in the world.  I am so proud to serve you.

Richard

Delta Air Lines serves more than 170 million customers each year. Delta has ranked No.1 in the Business Travel News Annual Airline survey for four consecutive years, a first for any airline. Additionally, Delta was named to FORTUNE magazine's top 50 World's Most Admired Companies in addition to being named the most admired airline for the fourth time in five years. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 326 destinations in 59 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs nearly 80,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. The airline is a founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance and participates in the industry's leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia as well as a newly formed joint venture with Virgin Atlantic. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 15,000 daily flights, with key hubs and markets including Amsterdam, Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK, New York-LaGuardia, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Tokyo-Narita. Delta has invested billions of dollars in airport facilities, global products, services and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Additional information is available on delta.com, Twitter @Delta, Google.com/+Delta, Facebook.com/delta and Delta's blog takingoff.delta.com.

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SOURCE Delta Air Lines